Do our Cops Need to be Defended?

Another major incident of rape in New Delhi and the blame game between the authorities has begun yet again. The Delhi police has emerged as a convenient scapegoat (though not totally undeserved), by the administration, judiciary, media and common people. I recently watched the interview of the Delhi Police Commissioner on TimesNow and a couple of points he made stood out for me. Let me say this at the outset, I have met several people from the Delhi police and have always thought of them as progressive, driven and truly committed to doing something. But here maybe I am only talking about the top brass. Also, this article is not to absolve the Delhi Police of the responsibility for the incident, rather it is to highlight the structural flaws of the entire system, and take steps that can help bring a 360 degree change in law, attitude, mindsets and political system.

I am going to concentrate on making four vital points here:

First and foremost, North Indian culture has always been patriarchal and misogynist, where women are glorified as sexual objects to be used, abused and dominated. From female foeticide, to dowry deaths, sexual harassment to representation in Indian cinema and TV – all reflect this basic misogyny and attempt to restrict women to the private sphere. This then is the structure from which most policemen come, imbibing and often perpetuating this social mindset. Awareness and sensitization programs, training sessions, regular talks etc (which are absent within the Police right now) can perhaps make a dent in their way of thinking, which states in extreme terms ‘that if a women is sexually harassed, she probably did something to entice the man’. However, if this attitude is to be fully combated, familial structures will have to change, the way the sons and daughters are bought up will have to change. Holding the Delhi Police Commissioner responsible for this mindset, absolves millions of India parents of their culpability in cases of women’s humiliation. It spares actors like Salman Khan whose movies constantly send out the message that ‘if a girl says no, she means yes.’ Or the serials on Indian television where physical abuse and manhandling is glorified as ‘manly romance.’

Second, relates to a more legal structure. Delhi police does not decide upon the security that is provided to the VVIP’s nor does it have any say in the number of police employed, vans deployed or technology available. Yes, it can make recommendations and the policemen should be held accountable for their lack of willingness to upgrade themselves to usage of better technology, fitter exercise regimes and more aware patrolling. However, the legislature and the Home Ministry are also equally responsible for these incidents, by not understanding the priorities and needs of the police.

Third and here I believe that the courts are equally a part of the problem. The proposal of fast track courts for Rape cases has been pending with the Delhi High court for the last couple of years and they have no right to absolve themselves of the responsibility. Strong judges capable of taking strong stands, building in strong procedures are a need of the day.

And last, I am going to blame the legislative bodies. When the parliament was envisaged by its founding fathers, it was a platform for sane discussion, for experts to give their opinions, which would then be deliberated by people’s elected representatives. Death penalty or not, fast track courts or not, need for better transport, change in societal attitudes – all these are very deep issues whose decisions cannot be taken on spur of the moment, dictated by popular sentiments. It is the legislature and our elected representatives, who have to take these tough calls.

Thus to conclude, the need of the hour is not to scapegoat or assign guilt to certain parts of the whole. Deep rooted reforms are required and they need a change in our families, societies, parliament, police and courts and will have to be thus viewed. There is only so much that a certain wing of the government can do without assistance of the others. It is time to assign responsibility and accountability and not guilt and blame.